Ordination Manual CB North Central Ordination Policies and Procedures Adopted 9/2/97 (updated name only 6/1/13) I. DEFINITIONS AND DISTINCTIONS A. ORDINATION Ordination is recognition and confirmation of God s call upon an individual for ministry of the Gospel. Ordination is an acknowledgment of a certain role within the body of Christ and does not confer special spiritual power or authority. B. THE ORDAINING BODY Ordination is a function of the local church. Because an ordained individual can influence and impact other local churches, the ordination process can be a cooperative effort with affiliated churches. Involvement from other churches primarily takes place through representation and input at the ordination council. C. THE ORDINATION CANDIDATE The ordination candidate should meet these guidelines: 1. A clear testimony of conversion. 2. Evidence of God s call to the ministry. 3. Character and behavior consistent with a mature Christian. 4. Qualifications for church leadership (1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9). 5. Membership in the local church initiating ordination. 6. Theological competency and possession of ministerial abilities/aptitude. 7. Ministry experience of at least two/three years. 8. Agreement with, and commitment to, the biblical, Baptistic positions of the Conservative Baptist movement. D. THE ORDINATION PROCESS The ordination process involves these steps: 1. Initiation Ordination should be initiated by the local body as it recognizes God s call upon an individual for ministry. Because many churches are unfamiliar with the process of ordination and fail to initiate proceedings, a potential candidate may request, through the CBNC General Director, the Senior Pastor or church board member, that the church initiate proceedings. 2. Church action The ordination process is activated by an official vote of the church leadership and/or membership. Notification of this action should then be forwarded to the CBNC General Director. 3. Doctrinal Statement The candidate should prepare a formal doctrinal statement (see appendix A). To assist this process a mentor will be assigned to the candidate by the General Director. The mentor will proofread the paper and assist the candidate by recommending changes/revisions. 4. Pre-ordination Council The Pre-ordination council will examine both the candidate and the doctrinal statement to evaluate readiness for the full council.
This council has the authority to assign the candidate areas for further study if deficiency or weakness are discovered. 5. Official Church Action Official church vote to call an ordination council. 6. Ordination Council The Ordination Council will examine the candidate and areas of doctrine, Christian character and call to ministry. 7. Official Church Action The church votes on the recommendation of the ordination council. A vote to ordain the candidate should follow the recommendation of the ordination counsel. 8. Ordination Service Public celebration of the candidate s ordination. E. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS 1. Re-ordination a. Individuals who have been ordained through a denomination whose practices, beliefs and/or policies are widely divergent from those held by Conservative Baptists should be encouraged by their local church to have their ordination confirmed by the Conservative Baptist Association by following the steps for ordination outlined above. b. Individuals who have had their ordination revoked (see below) must first present to the CBNC Board a statement of agreement for this action by the church(s) which revoked the original ordination. The steps towards re-ordination, following the receipt of this statement, will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the CBNC Board and General Director. 2. Revocation or ordination a. Grounds Lifestyle unbecoming a minister of the Gospel, including but not limited to: Immoral conduct, heretical teaching, declared change of doctrinal beliefs to positions inconsistent with the Conservative Baptist positions, improper financial dealings, fraud or refusal to pay legitimate debts. b. Procedure 1. Local church vote to call a disciplinary council and charges forwarded to the CBNC General Director. 2. Council consisting of the CBNC General Director, three CBNC Pastors appointed by the CBNC Board of Directors and three lay representatives from CBNC churches appointed by the ordaining body. 3. Council investigates the charges and conduct relevant interviews. 4. Vote on a recommendation to the church. 5. Official church action on the council s recommendation. The church SHOULD act in a manner consistent with the council s recommendation. The revocation should be done by the ordaining church, but in conjunction with the local church where the minister presently serves. c. Publication Notice of the revocation should be placed in all Conservative Baptist periodicals and sent to all Regional Directors. II. THE PRE-ORDINATION COUNCIL A. PURPOSE The pre-ordination council is to evaluate the candidate and his doctrinal statement. The goal of this evaluation is to determine the candidate s readiness for an ordination council.
B. COMPOSITION The CBNC General Director and 2-4 ordained ministers selected by the General Director. C. RECOMMENDATION 1. Recommendation to proceed with the ordination council. 2. Recommendation to delay the ordination council for further study or reassessment of areas of doctrinal weakness or error. a. Areas of concern should be stated specifically. b. A date for the completion of the study should be set. c. One member of the council should be assigned to the candidate to assist him in the process and to notify other council members when the work has been satisfied. A recommendation to proceed with the ordination council can be made at this time, without a formal meeting. 3. Recommendation that the candidate not proceed with the ordination process. III. THE ORDINATION COUNCIL A. PURPOSE The ordination council is to evaluate the candidate relative to his testimony, call to ministry and doctrinal positions. The goal is to assess qualification and fitness for ministry as well as to determine the candidate s consistency with Conservative Baptist beliefs and practices. B. COMPOSITION Invitations to the Ordination Counsel should be issued to: 1. The CBNC General Director. 2. Full-time pastoral staff members of all CBNC churches. 3. Two lay representatives from all CBNC churches. 4. (OPTIONAL) Ordained personnel from national CBA agencies. 5. (OPTIONAL) Pastors and lay representatives from other churches not affiliated with the CBNC. Voting rights can be extended to these individuals ONLY IF THEY ARE IN A GENUINE MINORITY. C. OFFICERS Officers for the Ordination Council are the Moderator and the Secretary. These officers are elected by the counsel. Specific duties for each officer are listed in Appendix B. D. PROCEDURE 1. Counsel called to order by the Moderator Pro-tem and opened in prayer. 2. Reading of the church resolution and the council purpose statement. 3. Vote to seat the council, registration of council members and guests. 4. Election of the Moderator and Secretary. 5. Examination of the candidate. 6. Vote to move to the Executive Session. Guests and the candidate should be excused from the proceedings. 7. Executive Session. Motion, discussion and vote on a recommendation to the church about ordination of the candidate. 8. Signing of the Ordination Certificate. 9. Candidate and guests invited back. Recommendation of the Counsel read. 10. Vote to adjourn, announcements, closing prayer, dismissal.
E. RECOMMENDATION 1. Recommendation that the church proceed with ordination. 2. Recommendation with reservation that the church delay ordination or proceed with ordination with awareness of specific areas of concern to the council. These are areas of concern, as specified by the council, should be addressed by the church board. 3. Recommendation not to proceed with the ordination process. F. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS 1. Extra copies of the candidate s doctrinal paper should be available at the ordination council. 2. The church, as host, should make refreshments available to the council members. This should include coffee/punch/donuts upon arrival, lunch or supper and a snack at the completion of the council. IV. THE ORDINATION SERVICE A. PURPOSE To rejoice in God s call of the individual to ministry and to publicly acknowledge the candidate s ordination. B. TIME The time is determined by the ordaining church and the candidate. The service should be scheduled at least one week after the ordination council. C. PROCEDURE Elements of the service are to be set by the ordaining church and the candidate. It is recommended that the church collect a special offering on behalf of the candidate during the ordination service. The offering is traditionally given to the candidate for the purchase of professional supplies and materials. A sample order of service is provided in Appendix D. APPENDIX A THE DOCTRINAL STATEMENT A. DEFINED A written document presenting the candidate s testimony and doctrinal beliefs. The statement should present the candidate s position and be supported by appropriate biblical references. Avoid disclaimers which detail what you do not believe. This document should be 15-25 pages. B. CONTENTS The doctrinal statement should cover the following topics and sub-topics: 1. Biographical Information a. Candidate s general background data, education and work experience. b. Candidate s conversion (testimony). c. Candidate s call to ministry. d. Candidate s family information (spouse, children). The conversion/testimony of the Candidate s spouse should be included. 2. Bibliology a. Special and general revelation defined and distinguished. b. Inspiration, inerrancy and infallibility defined. c. Illumination and method of interpretation defined. d. Address: Is the canon closed, is revelation ongoing? 3. Theology Proper a. The Trinity. Distinguish ontological and economic aspects.
b. Attributes of God. c. God as Creator. d. Decree, plan and will of God. 4. Christology a. Deity and attributes of Christ. His pre-existence. b. Incarnation, humanity and hypostatic union. c. Earthly ministry purpose and activities. d. Death, resurrection, ascension and return. e. Past, present and future sessions. 5. Pneumatology a. Deity and personhood. b. Old Testament ministry and works. c. His ministry related to Christ, believers and the world. d. Spiritual gifting, your position on the sign gifts. e. Terms and concepts: Spirit baptism, indwelling, sealing, filling and fruit. 6. Angelology and Satanology a. Existence, creation and nature of angels. b. Holy angels their purpose, work and ministry. c. Satan who he is, his rebellion and fall, his present activity and judgment. d. Demons their fall, work and judgment. e. Demonic oppression and possession who can be possessed and how. 7. Anthropology and Harmartiology a. Theory of creation literal, day/age, etc. b. Define imago dei (image of God). c. Composition of man (trichotomy/dichotomy). d. The temptation and fall of man: original state, resultant state (sin nature), sin defined, the results of sin (penalty, depravity, inability). e. Transmission of sin: imputation, inheritance of sin. 8. Soteriology a. Your position on the five points of Calvinism. b. What is the basis and cause of our salvation. c. How does one become a Christian what is man s responsibility? d. The results of salvation. e. Terms: election, foreknowledge, security, redemption, reconciliation, propitiation, conviction, glorification, sanctification. 9. Ecclesiology a. Origin, essence and foundation of the church. b. Church and Israel distinctions. c. Christ as Head, purpose and ministry of the church. d. Church leadership and government. e. Church ordinances. f. Your position relative to the Baptist distinctives. 10. Eschatology a. Death and resurrection. b. Intermediate state.
c. The Great Tribulation purpose, time and participants. d. Rapture and the Second Coming of Christ. e. The Bema Seat and Great White Throne Judgments. f. Eternal state, new heaven and earth. 11. Other (Optional) The candidate should be prepared at the time of the counsel to interact on the following topics. The candidate has the option of whether or not to include these topics in the doctrinal statement. a. Your devotional life methods used, areas of study, personal growth issues. b. Your methods and plan on discipleship what are you doing to train others. c. Your methods and plan of evangelism what are you doing to reach others. d. Your position on divorce and remarriage. APPENDIX B ORDINATION COUNCIL OFFICERS A. Moderator Pro-tem The moderator Pro-tem will be the CBNC General Director or one appointed by him. Specific responsibilities are: 1. Call the meeting to order and open in prayer. 2. Read the church resolution to call the Ordination Council. 3. Give a statement of purpose for the council and remind counsel members that they are assembled to evaluate the candidate and his beliefs, not to debate or to push the candidate to adopt their doctrinal positions. 4. Call for a vote to seat the council. 5. Call for the election of a Moderator and Secretary. The Moderator Pro-tem is eligible for nomination to either of these positions. 6. Turn the meeting over to the elected Moderator. B. Moderator The Moderator is to exercise control over the council proceedings. Specific responsibilities are: 1. To make sure questions asked of the candidate are appropriate and clear. To make sure the proceedings don t degenerate to a debate or teaching/preaching session. The moderator may ask questions of the candidate though his primary function is to oversee the proceedings. 2. To initiate any necessary breaks in the council session dinner, coffee, etc. 3. To introduce the candidate and open the examination time. 4. To call for a vote to move to Execute Session. 5. To oversee the Executive Session. 6. To announce the decision of the council to the candidate. 7. To call for a vote for adjournment, make closing announcements, close in prayer and dismiss the council. C. Secretary The Secretary is to keep record of the council proceedings. Specific responsibilities are: 1. To keep minutes of the council proceedings. 2. To make a roster of council members and guests. 3. To get the Certificate of Ordination signed and delivered to the candidate. 4. To complete and distribute an official record of the counsel proceedings. The official record should include a copy of the official action of the church in calling the council, minutes of the
proceedings and a copy of the candidate s doctrinal statement. Copies should be sent to: the candidate, the ordaining church, the CBNC office and the CBAmerica office in Littleton, CO. The Secretary should also retain a copy of the minutes. APPENDIX C SAMPLE FORMS AND LETTERS A. SAMPLE RESOLUTIONS 1. Resolution to Call an Ordination Council We, the congregation of, believing has been chosen by God for Gospel ministry, will convene an ordination council for the purpose of evaluating the candidate s call, testimony, character and doctrinal positions. The time and date of the counsel should be established after the candidate has successfully completed the proordination counsel. 2. Resolution to Ordain We, the congregation of, with the confirmation of the Ordination Council, do hereby ordain to the ministry of the Gospel. B. INVITATION TO THE ORDINATION COUNCIL 1. Sample Letter of Invitation The congregation of church has voted to call an Ordination Council for. Your pastoral staff and two lay representatives from your congregation are invited to serve on the council. The council will convene (start time), on (date) at (location). Please return the enclosed, postage paid, reply card by. In Christ, (Letter to be signed by the Senior Pastor, Clerk or Board Chair). 2. Sample Reply Card (A self-addressed, postage paid 4x6 postal card should be used). NAME OF CHURCH: We will send representatives to the council. We will NOT send representatives to the council. Please send copies of the doctrinal statement. PLEASE RETURN THIS CARD BY APPENDIX D SAMPLE ORDINATION SERVICE Prelude Invocation Opening Hymn Special Music
Charge to the Church (5-7 min.) Congregational Hymn Special Music Scripture Reading Charge to the Candidate (5-7 min.) Report to the Candidate (5-7 min.) Report to the Council and Church Vote Prayer of Dedication (laying on of hands) Presentation of the Ordination Certificate Special Offering* Closing Hymn Benediction** *The offering is traditionally given to the newly ordained minister for professional supplies and resources. **The service is traditionally followed by a reception time for the newly ordained minister.